Exploring the Estuary

Yesterday we packed up the kids and headed off to one of my favorite local trails but when we got there we found that the bridge heading into the estuary had been fenced off.

It's hard to believe that this weathered foot bridge used to be a single lane bridge that I drove my car across four times a day, three times a week to reach an elderly woman I did home nursing for. Over the years the decking started to deteriorate so they built a foot bridge over the old bridge but it is getting soft in spots and sometime this summer the whole thing is going to be removed. Hopefully they will replace it but that is still not a sure thing.

Of course us local yokals don't get scared off by a few signs with bold red lettering and we skirted around the edge of the fence and headed on into the forest *grin*.

To be on the safe side we did go single file except for the little guy who went along with his daddy :)

As we wandered through the forest we were surrounded by amazing old growth trees. They are true giants!

This one was actually completely hollow inside and was big enough for all three of my kids to fit in and my dad for a photo. So much fun!

Where the old cottage used to stand there is now the above sign with all sorts of information on the different plants and animals that can be found along the trail. When the elderly lady that lived here passed away the property was donated to Ducks Unlimited and all of the old buildings were removed so that the grounds could return to their uninhabited state. I used to stand in this very spot when it was her kitchen and stare out the windows watching the river, swans and deer pass by. So many fond memories.... now only stories to tell to my children.

Just past the old homestead site is the estuary :)

The kids had fun exploring the grassy banks of the river. It wasn't long before the rain started though so we had to head back into the forest to take cover *grin*.

As we wound our way back around the loop to the main trail we took our time checking out all of the different mosses, poking and petting each one and talking about how they were all unique.

This tree always draws a lot of interest when we visit to as we try to guess what sort of animals may have been gnawing away at its pulpy insides :)

So many things to investigate along the way. The poor little guy got all tuckered out towards the end though and Hubby was more than happy to carry him like a good old sack of potatoes *grin*. What a turkey!

Hugs,
Rosina

right now, I AM

....listening to the frogs croaking *grin*.

They're back! Over the last couple of days nature has made a sudden and very vocal comeback and it is music to my ears :) There are so many more birds now visiting the feeder and chirping away, dozens of robins can be seen scouring the fields all the time as they look for bugs and turn the manure piles over and tonight the frogs are singing. And not just one frog but a chorus of them. Not long and there will be multitudes of eggs clinging to the reeds and grass around our pond ready for little fingers to poke at and inspect :)

Hubby and I were just talking and making plans for future camping trips to. He figures it's a little to cold to go now but come the end of April I think we'll start venturing out. I'm looking forward to going further north to one of our favorite spots where we can camp right at the top of the beach along the ocean. It's a little chilly in May but is the only time that we can just pop out whenever we want and get a front row seat to the ocean. I love to spend the afternoons scouring the beach with the children looking for shells, crabs and other cool things that we come across and then at night we get to sleep to the sounds of the waves crashing up onto the rocks :)

There are so many things I am looking forward to :) How about you?

Hugs,
Rosina

Click the frog to learn more!

Linky Love

So much for the rainy forecast that was mentioned earlier this week... it was a stunning day today!! Of course I spent most of the day in the city doing banking, grocery shopping and other mundane tasks but to not be rained on was a lovely bonus *grin*.

I wanted to share with you some of my favorite craft projects, recipes and photos that I came across this week and hopefully you haven't already seen them all :)

LollyChops shares a fabulous printable tree silhouette and some great ways to customize it for different holidays or themes. I am in LOVE with the swirled yarn background!

I am so making some of these wool leaf coasters I found on Design*Sponge with the kids!!! This is such a great project for fall :)

{Photo via Dalboz17}

Wouldn't you know it I just had my very first Pumpkin Spice Latte today in town and with this great recipe from Delicious Noise I can save myself some serious coin and enjoy one anytime I want!

Oh my word, I want this!! *swoon*
This amazing bath mat is made with real live moss that lives in your bathroom through the humidity and water from your feet as you step out of the bath onto it.

I am crazy about moss and if you have never stepped barefoot on a plushy carpet of moss before stop what you are doing right now and run straight to the nearest wooded area and let you inner fairy run free as you caress some moss with your tootsies! LOL.

Hope you enjoyed my linky love and have a fantabulous weekend :)
Hugs,
Rosina

Flickr Favorites ~ Moss

1. The Toadstool's Secret Terrarium, 2. Birdie Abode, 3. Fairy Homes, 4. Tiny Homes For Gnomes

I have been collecting moss and tiny clay mushrooms to make my own little mossy terrarium haven and these photos are so inspiring. Just look, acorn gnome houses... fantastic!!

I am craving vibrant greens, the sweet earthy smell of forest mosses, and the peaceful feeling that nature evokes in oneself. My little terrarium is going to bring that bright spark of the outdoors in :)

Want to play along?
Build your own mosaic and visit Artmind's blog to join in :)

~ Rosina

Wabi Sabi Green Etsy Treasury

Wabi Sabi Green Treasury, originally uploaded by Crafty Nature.

Wow!! I can't believe it, I got picked for another Etsy treasury! That is so cool :) This one was put together by Prairie Garden. There are over 170,000 sellers on Etsy and somehow my little photo of the moss and lichen fencepost (2nd row center) has caught the attention of quite a few people. Now if only I could make a sale! *grin*.

~ Rosina

Some Of My Favorite Nature Photos

I am completely crazy about nature and taking photos, but I think I've found a way to do both and share some of it with you as well :) I just finished having a bunch of my recent favorites printed up on acid free & archival safe paper and put them into my Etsy shop ~ RosyUndPosy :) Now they won't be just collecting dust in the photo albums on the book shelf, plus it makes hubby happy to see that all that happy snapping I do every day is bringing a little nature joy to others as well *grin*.

~ Rosina